1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 160.9 × 74.5 × 8 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable in hand. G82 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 173g | S21 Ultra is significantly heavier, which may lead to hand fatigue during extended use. G82 is more comfortable for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra's display is significantly sharper, providing crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 402 | S21 Ultra has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably clearer and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but higher resolution on the S21 Ultra enhances visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, making interactions feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra's display is much brighter, making it significantly easier to view in direct sunlight. G82's brightness is not provided and appears very poor. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Int'l | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is much more powerful, allowing for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 390,000 | S21 Ultra has nearly double the performance, significantly outperforming the G82 in intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - Int'l | Adreno 619 | S21 Ultra has a superior GPU, offering better graphics performance in games and demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | S21 Ultra captures more detailed images and performs better in low light due to larger sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | N/A | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, providing better image quality when zooming in, while G82 does not have a telephoto camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra takes higher-resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | N/A | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom, while the G82 does not offer a dedicated telephoto camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | G82 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader landscapes, which is missing on the S21 Ultra. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | G82 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. S21 Ultra lacks this functionality. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | N/A | S21 Ultra offers a wide-angle + macro lens combination, providing flexibility in shooting options. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@60fps | S21 Ultra offers much higher resolution video recording, enabling more flexibility in editing and preserving fine details. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra's camera performance is rated much higher by DXOMark, reflecting its superior capabilities. No rating for Moto G82. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity and therefore similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | G82 charges slightly faster than the S21 Ultra. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | Non-removable | S21 Ultra offers the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Moto G82 doesn't. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (max 15) | Android 12 (max 13) | G82 has a newer Android version out of the box but will receive one less major update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | S21 Ultra supports a faster and more efficient WiFi standard (WiFi 6) for better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.1 LE | S21 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with broader support for audio profiles and accessories. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | SUPL | S21 Ultra offers better location accuracy due to support for additional GPS frequencies. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | S21 Ultra offers significantly more internal storage space, with up to 512GB. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 6 GB | S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancelling | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | S21 Ultra offers better overall audio experience with Hi-Res audio, noise cancellation and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted sensors are generally faster, more reliable and less error-prone than in-display fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has a high-end screen protector, improving durability. Protection of the G82 is not disclosed. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Magnetometer | S21 Ultra has a slightly more comprehensive sensor suite including barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Much more powerful processor (Exynos 2100), resulting in faster speeds, better multitasking, and smoother gaming experience.
- Far Superior Display: Higher resolution (1440x3200), pixel density (515 PPI) and peak brightness (1500 nits) make it significantly better for viewing media and using in sunlight.
- Superior Camera System: Offers higher-resolution sensors, optical zoom capabilities, 8K video recording, better low-light performance, and is rated much higher on DXOMark.
- Premium Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, more advanced WiFi and Bluetooth versions, and better GPS.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers up to 512 GB storage and 16 GB RAM for more demanding users.
- Hi-Res Audio For superior sound quality.
Motorola Moto G82 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact Design: Weighs 54g less and has smaller dimensions, making it more comfortable for long periods of usage.
- Slightly Faster Charging: Offers a 30W charging speed compared to 25W on the S21 Ultra.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lens: Offers dedicated lenses for wide-angle and macro photography.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally faster and more reliable than in-display fingerprint sensors.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G sacrifices portability and comfort due to its larger size and weight, and also does not offer a dedicated macro or wide-angle lens, instead offering a combined macro/wide-angle.
- The Motorola Moto G82 offers a more convenient size, but significantly lags behind in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, also lacking wireless charging and having a potentially poor screen brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power users: People who demand the best possible performance for gaming, video editing, or other intensive tasks.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, with optical zoom capabilities, and 8K video recording.
- Media consumers: Individuals who want a large, high-resolution display with vibrant colors and deep blacks for an immersive viewing experience, including outdoor usage.
- Users needing the most up to date features: Users who need the latest versions of WiFi and Bluetooth.
Use Cases:
- Professional photographers and videographers who need high-resolution capabilities and advanced camera features.
- Mobile gamers who want a smooth, immersive gaming experience with powerful performance.
- Frequent travelers who require a bright screen that's easily visible in sunlight.
Motorola Moto G82 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious consumers: Users who prioritize affordability and a comfortable, lightweight device.
- Casual users: Individuals who use their phones for everyday tasks, such as browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Users who prioritize size: Those who prefer a more compact and easier-to-handle device.
- Users who need a wide-angle lens: Users who frequently use a wide-angle lens in their everyday photography.
Use Cases:
- Users who need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks like calling, texting, and browsing.
- Individuals who prioritize a lightweight device for carrying around all day.
- Casual photographers who occasionally want to take wide-angle or macro shots.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers significantly more performance and features but comes at a much higher price.
- The Motorola Moto G82 is a more affordable option for budget-conscious buyers, but with significant compromises in performance and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for your usage? If you are a power user, the S21 Ultra is a better fit. If you only do basic tasks, the G82 would suffice.
- What do you value more: camera quality or portability? The S21 Ultra has much better cameras, while the G82 is smaller and lighter.
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra will cost significantly more, while the G82 is designed as a budget-friendly device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Power User): If you play graphically intensive games, work with videos, or require high processing power, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Conscious): If you prioritize affordability, a lightweight device, and are not too concerned about camera quality or performance, the Motorola Moto G82 is the more appropriate option.
- Scenario 3 (Camera Enthusiast): If you value mobile photography above all else, the superior camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G makes it the superior choice.
- Scenario 4 (Everyday User): If you use your phone for simple tasks, the Motorola Moto G82 can meet your needs at a lower price point, and its form factor may make it more suitable.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The vastly superior display quality, the much more powerful processor, and the significantly better camera system, with features like 8K video recording and optical zoom, are essential for me. While I appreciate the Motorola Moto G82's lighter weight and lower price, the S21 Ultra's overall capabilities justify the extra cost for my specific needs. I often work with high-resolution media and I want the best visual quality. I also often take pictures, and the features offered by the S21 Ultra are essential for my workflow. The trade-off in terms of size and weight is something I would be willing to accept to gain all these benefits.
